Author Question: Discuss the role of sea urchins in kelp forest ecosystems. What will be an ideal ... (Read 27 times)

lilldybug07 · **on:** Aug 22, 2018

Discuss the role of sea urchins in kelp forest ecosystems.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Judge the following sentence according to the criteria given below: Clown fish are not stung by sea anemone BECAUSE they chase away any other fish that tries to feed on the anemone.

A) The assertion and the reason are both correct, and the reason is valid.
B) The assertion and the reason are both correct, but the reason is invalid.
C) The assertion is correct, but the reason is incorrect.
D) The assertion is incorrect, but the reason is correct.
E) Both the assertion and the reason are incorrect.

sabina576 · **Reply #1 on:** Aug 22, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Kelp forests are highly productive ecosystems that provide shelter for a wide variety of organisms living within or directly upon the kelp as epifauna. These organisms are an important food source for many of the animals living in and near the kelp forest, including mollusks, sea stars, fishes, octopuses, lobsters, and marine mammals. Surprisingly, very few animals feed directly on the living kelp. Among those that do are sea urchins and a large sea slug called the sea hare (Aplysia). An urchin barren is created when the population of sea urchins goes unchecked and the urchins devour entire areas of giant brown bladder kelp (Macrocystis), one of the main types of algae in kelp forests. The urchins chew through the holdfast structure that holds the kelp in place and set it adrift. In California, the severe reduction of animals that prey on urchins (such as the wolf eel and sea otter) has upset the natural balance of ocean food webs. Consequently, sea urchins have proliferated, and urchin barrens now exist where there were once lush kelp beds.

Answer to Question 2

B